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HYDROCLEANING FOREMAN, JayZack Leonard, of El Dorado, right, and maintenance worker, Roy Forbes, of Rescue demonstrate the methods used to clean debris out of sewer lines during an American River Watershed Tour. With two Vactor trucks cleaning out sewer lines, EID has drastically reduced sewage spills. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
As part of a cooperative effort of the El Dorado County and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts along with the El Dorado County Water Agency, a series of tours of the South Fork American River Watershed are available to the public free of charge.
According to these agencies, the purpose of these tours is to encourage participation of the public in local watershed issues and promote responsible stewardship of the watershed.
In all, three different tours are scheduled with each covering a different part of the watershed.
The first tour already took place on June 15 and covered the lower watershed with the theme of the tour being water quality, recreation, and historical legacy. Four sites were visited, including Hangtown Creek at the Clay Street Bridge, the Wakamatsu Colony Farm, Henningsen-Lotus Park, and the El Dorado Hills Water Treatment Facility.
Two more tours
For those wanting to go on a tour, the middle watershed tour is scheduled for July 20 and will focus on water use and water rights. Included is a visit to one of SMUD’s hydropower facilities, a working ranch, and Lava Cap Winery.
The last tour, on Aug. 17, will be to the upper watershed with a “healthy headwaters” focus. Visits will be to UC Berkeley’s Blodgett Forest Research Station in Georgetown and to the Georgetown Ranger District to learn about invasive species.
For more information or to reserve a spot on a tour, contact Laura Hayes at 530-295-5636 or e-mail her. Reservations are needed to ensure a space on the bus. The tours start at 8:30 am and are completed by early afternoon.
Hangtown Creek
Hangtown Creek was picked as the starting place for the lower watershed tour because of its historical and resource value. The creek, which encompasses over 6,000 acres in the county, has several tributaries and joins Weber Creek to flow into the South Fork of the American River.
Mark Egbert, who manages both the El Dorado County and Georgetown Divide resource conservation districts, gave an overview of the creek’s history and plans to create a master plan to restore and preserve the Hangtown Creek watershed.
“Hangtown Creek is one of the most culturally and historically significant resources we have,” he said.
“The entire canyon, Cedar Ravine and the other streets, are all part of veins of gravel and gold called the ‘Deep Blue’ lead. In the Soda Works building, the mine goes back 300 feet into the mountain.
“Everything was happening along this ‘Deep Blue’ lead said Egbert. “They were looking for gold everywhere. Many of the buildings in the downtown were built in the 1800s and people were digging under them looking for gold.”
Egbert said the creek was modified as hydraulic mining came into use. Sediment washed continually into the creek as did human waste as the city had an open sewer system.
In 1937, the city upgraded the sewage treatment system including the part that traversed the middle of the creek. Then in 2009, when Highway 50 was expanded, the sewer line was removed from the creek and moved to the railroad easement.
Currently the city is working on a master plan to restore the creek. Part of the process involves getting community comment and consensus on the level of restoration desired. The master plan is also expected to help revitalize the downtown business district.
Egbert said that development is limited right now because of the economy and the ability of the creek to handle changes in water flow due to development.
“The city and all of us are having to change to meet the needs of the creek. In the past, it was the other way around.”
Wakamatsu
The next stop on the tour was the Wakamatsu Colony Farm.
Purchased in 2010 by the American River Conservancy from descendants of the Francis Veerkamp family, the area has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years. Its earliest inhabitants were Native Americans followed by gold miners, and farmers including colonists from Japan.
Today it exists as an historical site and the largest intact ranch between Coloma and Placerville. The property includes wetlands, springs, a manmade lake, and the headwaters of Granite and Shingle creeks. Both creeks flow into the South Fork of the American River. The property is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal species that the conservancy wants to preserve and protect.
Elena DeLacy, conservation and stewardship project manager for ARC, said current plans include restoring the native amphibians and fish to the area, constructing a trail around the lake, and leasing out some of the land so more of it is put back into productive use.
South Fork of the American River
The third leg of the tour was to Henningsen-Lotus Park to view an example of the watershed as recreation.
The park borders the South Fork of the American River, which is currently the third busiest river in America when it comes to recreation use and the most used rafting run in the state.
The building of the Chili Bar Dam in 1964 as a hydroelectric facility assured that the river would be available almost year round. Operated jointly by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and PG&E, regulation of the water at the powerhouse made it possible to raft from March through September most years.
However, rafting wasn’t always allowed on river. El Dorado County banned it in 1976 but that ban was overturned by the courts in 1979. Since then, the county has developed a series of river management plans to guarantee public access and water quality.
In 2011 some 114,000 people used the river for rafting generating a minimum of $14 million for the county and approximately $33 million overall.
Noah Rucker-Triplett, who is river recreation supervisor for El Dorado County, discussed the history of public access to the river and how water quality is maintained.
Fees from rafting and boat launches pay for the program, including monitoring the quality of the water on a continuous basis to ensure it is safe.
They also do river cleanups, which include removing trash and human waste. People can volunteer for this and at the same time get in some free rafting time by e-mailing Rucker-Triplett at noah.rucker-triplett@edcgov.us. The next cleanup is scheduled for July 23.
El Dorado Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant
The last site on the tour was the El Dorado Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The extensive operation was built in 1961 and has had several upgrades and additions since then. On an annual basis the plant processes 2.5 million gallons of sewage with 52 percent of the water reclaimed for use in landscape irrigation.
Highly computerized and meticulously maintained, the plant is one of two operated by the El Dorado Irrigation District. Waste gets treated through an elaborate system of clarifiers, biological digestors, and UV disinfection. When the water is finished processing, it is clean and ready for irrigation use. The sanitized sludge is then used as fertilizer or as land cover.
Economy and efficiency seem to be the plant’s motto. Methane gas from the waste is recycled to help break down materials, bacteria and biological agents process the waste, and a large field of solar panels keeps electrical costs low. According to the operations department head, on a good day they generate a megawatt of power.
Contact Dawn Hodson at 530-344-5071 or dhodson@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @DHodsonMtDemo on Twitter.
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Thomas GreenwaldJuly 09, 2012 - 12:56 pm
Thank you for this informative article. It is a refreshing change from the editorializing disguised as news that has been creeping into this paper.
SOFAR So SkepticalJuly 09, 2012 - 4:58 pm
This article sounds good on the surface, but if you really want the nitty-gritty, then dig deeper. This is a very revealing statement: "Economy and efficiency SEEM to be the plant’s motto." All the local, state, & federal government agencies and NGOs (Non-government agencies) associated with ARC are the powerful Czars promoting the Environmental Movement and Sustainable Development. Not good for Freedom lovers...
David PaulJuly 09, 2012 - 5:43 pm
SOFAR, please provide any evidence whatsoever that ARC is the subversive organization you claim it to be. Anyone who is familiar with them knows that they have accomplished phenomenal things for the people of this county on very little money. Sheesh dude, get a life!
Kayack YackerJuly 09, 2012 - 8:10 pm
Contrary to some beliefs, money doesn't grow on trees. ARC acquired over 12,000 acres primarily via grants. That took LOTS, not little, public money. This prime CA real estate is controlled by BLM, CA State Parks, Natural Resources, Water Agencies, special interest stakeholders, etc. Read that as unaccountable BIG GOVERNMENT. So who do you think profits at tax payers expense?
William FurstJuly 09, 2012 - 9:22 pm
Well, lets think about that one, Mr Yacker. We will use an example from reality instead of hyperbole if that is OK with you. One typical land acquisition was approx 235 acres off Hwy 193 called Wildman Hill. The voters of California approved Prop 84 & Prop 50 to fund the purchase and preservation of land such as this. ARC applied for a grant to acquire this lot from its private owners using prop 84 funding. The owners WILLINGLY SOLD the lot for a REDUCED COST, knowing it would benefit the public. ARC then deeded the land to the BLM for the enjoyment of the public. Now, anybody can legally hike this beautiful scenic area that has sweeping vistas and river frontage. So, the answer to your question of "who profits at taxpayer expense?", is simple: the taxpayers themselves are the ones who profit. I hike this land frequently. I hope to see you there sometime.
nativeJuly 10, 2012 - 6:29 am
The problem is the huge amount of land removed from local productivity and turned over to centralized control. Small farmers/ranchers are being obliterated. Corporate farming now is the norm, conditions being often horrific. Government funding of land acquisitions is the enabler. When owners sell "willingly" for reduced amounts it stems less from charity ("to benefit the public") than it does from necessity. Remaining on the land has become prohibitively expensive. Government regulation has ensured that.
William FurstJuly 10, 2012 - 8:01 am
You have a wonderful imagination. The land in question was never used for ranching or "in production" in any way. Nice try.
Susan MaginayJuly 10, 2012 - 8:17 am
Native-the reason that the small farmer is becoming extinct & replaced by giant factory farms is because of government DE-regulation. Deregulation allows for monopolistic predatory economic activity.
prime timeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:27 am
Greenwashing
prime timeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:29 am
The 1001 Club
prime timeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:31 am
Federal Land Use Control Through Ecosystem Management
Phil VeerkampJuly 10, 2012 - 8:31 am
RE: "Elena DeLacy, conservation and stewardship project manager for ARC, said current plans include restoring the native amphibians and fish to the area . . ." Prior to the construction of the Gold Hill Ditch and the construction of the irrigation reservoir by my father, Malcolm, and his brother, Maurice Veerkamp there were no "native fish" nor were there any amphibian ponds. The artificial bodies of water were stocked with bass, catfish and bluegill. ARC intends to kill these animals and replace with species subsized by funds springing from the imaginations of environmentalists. This is an example of "pretend environmentalism" directed toward grant acquisition.
prime timeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:34 am
World Wildlife Fund: LOYAL ALLY TO AGRIBUSINESS AND GLOBALISATION
nativeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:44 am
Mr Furst, did you read the article?
William FurstJuly 10, 2012 - 8:49 am
Yes, Mr. Naive, I did.
nativeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:52 am
Susan Maginay, at work are both DE-regulation, allowing predatory corporate behavior, and punitive REGULATION of small farmers and other small business owners. Note, for example, what is happening to organic farmers and raw milk producers.
nativeJuly 10, 2012 - 8:54 am
Mr Furst, I cannot commend you on your reading skills! (Or is it your historical literacy that is in question?)
McClintock Saw the LightJuly 10, 2012 - 10:08 am
McClintock finally saw the elephant in the room after a group brought the Barbara Boxer/ARC acquisition of the historical Wakamatsu property under greater scrutiny. Whoever controls the water & watershed controls the people, and in this case ARC is the unaccountable demi-god. After closer examination staff admitted the "immaculate conception" turned out to be a "diabolical deception" that certainly wouldn't enhance Tom's political career. It was a misstep in a virtual cow-pie causing him to do an immediate 180. As a result McClintock lead a campaign last November at the Capitol entitled "The Many Tentacles of Agenda 21." Look it up; very interesting reading.
What is your problem?July 10, 2012 - 10:33 am
McClintock supported the acquisition. This beautiful public space is a huge asset to the community.
Hey VeercampJuly 10, 2012 - 12:59 pm
I didn't hear you complaining too much when ARC got your family $ 3.2 million -top dollar - more than you could have ever sold it for.
Phil VeerkampJuly 10, 2012 - 4:15 pm
SAY HEY! Just pointing out that it is impossible to restore native fish and amphibians to a property that never had any native fish or amphibians. This “restoration” requires killing planted fish. "Pretend environmentalism" aka environmental offset allows development elsewhere. I’d love to read the EIR that projects a net enhancement to the planet when bass, catfish and bluegill in an artificial reservoir are killed and replaced with some other species. There will be a fish kill for no net gain. Bass, catfish and bluegill loose . . . but . . . ARC may catch another public/private grant. Go for it!
Kayak MacJuly 10, 2012 - 4:42 pm
Public/private grants that remove 12,000 acres from paying EDC property taxes doesn't benefit EDC revenues. True, the public may enjoy the benefits of hiking on these public lands, but it is at the expense of the adjacent private property owners who bear the fallout. BLM & ARC are NOT good neighbors--just ask Cronan Ranch & Kanaka Valley residents, just to name a few. F&G, EDSO, Parks, etc. don't have the funds or staff to monitor the poaching, crimes, fires, dumping, etc. that constantly threatened private & public watershed. That's not good land management--it's called IRRESPONSIBLE.
wezzy geezerJuly 10, 2012 - 5:10 pm
Good job Plop!
Lisa PhillipsJuly 10, 2012 - 6:23 pm
From the looks of things, there are a few loud people who think that being social makes you a socialist, and helping the community makes you a communist. Fortunately, they are a tiny, albeit noisy, minority. Most people in in this county love the county, love being able to access the land, and they appreciate what groups like ARC contribute: educational programs, kids camps, tours,hikes, and public access to nature. I truly feel sorry for all the bitter people who think these are bad things.
Prime ExampleJuly 10, 2012 - 6:51 pm
Kudos to Prime Time--Thanks for the informative link "Federal land use..." which ends with this revealing statement statement: "Despite the U.S. Senate's refusal to ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity, the administration's Ecosystem Management Policy is implementing the Convention's requirement to control of the use of ALL LAND, both public and private, to achieve the objectives of the UNITED NATIONS." It perfectly fits the profile of ARC & BLM.
Drake BrancaJuly 10, 2012 - 7:22 pm
Yeah, if it's on the internet it must be true!!!! Sigh, remember the good old days, when all the nuts had to worry about was commies under the bed? Could one of you Einsteins give one example of an ARC acquisition that resulted in LESS access for citizens?
William LoachJuly 10, 2012 - 7:30 pm
unbelievable! how can people find evil intent in public open space?
Kayaker DudeJuly 10, 2012 - 10:47 pm
The attacks against prime time amaze me. Gotta admit I never heard of "Greenwashing" before. Wikipedia provides links that make me wonder if there is more behind this A21 business than I thought. The real issues appear to be $$, power and control behind the environmental movement. Thanks again for informative links.
land lubberJuly 11, 2012 - 5:33 am
Since when is land posted with No Trespassing signs and accessible only by arrangement considered "open land"?
prime timeJuly 11, 2012 - 2:19 pm
Water Securitization, Agenda 21 and the Right to Life